Protector



Aug. 12, 1930. c. R. VOLZ 1,772,923

PROTECTOR Filed March 26, 1928 A: 4 A Trek/v51.

Patented Aug. 12, 1930 CHARLES R. VOLZ, 0F WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA PROTECTOR Application. filed March 26, 1828 Serial No. 264,811.

My invention relates to body protectors, and particularly to protectors for use by athletes. This application is a continuation in part of co-pending application Serial Number 240,951, filed Dec. 19, 1927.

An object of my inventionis to provide a protector which will shield a sensitive area from all efiect of a blow or pressure.

Another object of my invention is to provide a protector which is easily adjustable to fit wearers of different sizes.

A further object of my invention is to provide a protector which will not lose its shape or effectiveness through use.

My invention possesses other objects and valuable features, some of which will be set forth in the following description of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said description and drawings, as I may adopt varying forms of my invention within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a thigh protector embodying my invention. The leg of the wearer is shown in light lines, more clearly to disclose the application of the device.

Fig. 2 is ahorizontal sectional view and Fig. 3 a vertical sectional view on a larger scale than Fig. 1, the respective planes of section being the lines 22 and 3-3 of Fig. 1.

In terms of broad inclusion my invention comprises a shield arched over the parts to be protected. A padded frame beneath the shield and attached to its opposite edges conforms to the body area surrounding the protected region. The cross members or yokes on the frame are resilient, and stress the frame to increase its normal curvature, thus acting as clips which grasp the body of the wearer and tend to hold the shield in position.

A strap is preferably provided for holding the protector in place, having one end firmly fixed to the protector. The other end passes through a slot in the edge of the shield and back between shield and frame. Tension on the strap springs the shield slightly and clamps the end securely against the frame,

thus giving easy adjustment, while obviating the use of buckles, which are likely to cause in ury.

Protectors thus constructed may be made for almost any part of the body. from the protectors or guards previously known in that they do not merely distribute the force directed to the protected part over a larger area of sensitive tissue, but instead transfer the force to less vulnerable adjacent regions. They are accordingly especially valuable in preventing injury to the shoulder girdle, and for protecting the belly of the long muscles of the thigh from the bruises which cause charley-horse. I have therefore chosen a thigh protector as the preferred embodiment of my invention for detailed description. j

A'ring having yokes 6 and side members 7 surrounds the region to be protected and conforms to the area of less sensitive tissue on which the protector rests. Secured to the yokes are resilient curved metal strips .8 preferably of spring steel, which are formed with somewhat greater curvature than the leg they are designed to fit. The rivets 9 are a convenient means of securing the strips 8 to the ring. i

The ring and strips together form a frame over which is arched a shield 11, preferably of sheet fiber, opposite edges of which are secured to the side members 7 by the rivets 12. The arched form of the shield holds it clear of the body except at the edges, and any force directedagainst the shield is diverted to the area upon which the frame rests. The resiliency of the spring strips 8 tends to draw the edges of both frame and shield together, thus increasing their normal curvature. In putting on the protector the edges must. therefore be spread apart, and the whole protector grips the body of the wearer and tends to hold itself in position.v For comfort and safety a pad 13, preferably offelt, is fastened to the under side of the frame and bears against the body of the wearer.

I prefer to make both frame and shield trapezoidal in general form, exten in the outer edge higher on the leg than the inner edge. The protector thus conforms in They differ U frame.

length to the muscles it is designed to shield.

The nature of the protection offered by my device makes it essential that it be held accurately in position, and the means for doing this should be adjustable so that the protector may be accurately fitted. To hold it against the leg one end of a strap 14 of elastic webbing is secured to one edge of the protector. The other end of the strap is passed inwardly through a slot 16 in the opposite edge of the sh e d and bar-k between the shield and the Tension on the strap springs the shield in slightly and clamps the strap against the frame. t may, however, be tightened by pulling on the free end 17 or loosened by pulling on the bight so as to release its pressure on the shield. This arrangement gives a strap which is quickly and easily adjustable, Without the use of buckles.

The protector is suspended from a belt 18, which may be provided especially for the purpose, or may be integral with a hip pad. An apron 19 is secured to the upper yoke of the frame. Felt padding 21 is stitched to the inner side of the apron, which has a row of eyelets 22 in its upper edge. A lacing 23 passing through the eyelets; and a similar row 24 in the belt holds the apron and protector in place, and by proper adjustment of the lacing the protector may be nicely positioned to give maximum protection to the wearer.

An addition to the advantages of my protector already set forth is its ability to hold its shape until completely Worn out, where the ordinary type, constructed of leather or fiber Without the spring yokes, is Warped by the action of perspiration and heat and so becomes useless.

I claim:

1. In a protector, an arched shield, and a resilient yoke attached to said shield and stressing said shield to increase its normal curvature.

2. In a protector, an arched shield, and a resilient yoke attachced adjacent its ends to said shield and stressing said shield to in- ,creaseits normal curvature...

3. In a protector, an arched shield, and a resilient frame adapted to conform to an area surrounding the region to be protected and attached to and stressing said shield to increase its normal curvature.

4. In a protector, an arched shield, and a resilient frame adapted to conform to an area surrounding the region to be protected and attached to o posite edges of said shield and stressing said shield to increase its normal curvature.

5. In a protector, an arched shield. and a supporting frame attached to said shield, said frame comprising a ring adapted to conform to an area surrounding the region to be protected, and a spring member secured thereto.

6. In a protector, an arched shield, and a supporting frame attached to said shield, said frame comprising a ring adapted to conform to an area surrounding the region to be protected, and a curved leaf spring secured thereto.

7. In a protector, an arched shield, a frame secured to opposite edges of said shield, and a strap having one end secured to said protector and the other end releasably gripped between said shield and frame.

8. In a protector, an arched shield having a slot in one edge thereof, a frame attached to said shield and underlying said slot, and a strap secured at one end to said protector and passing through said slot and between said shield and frame.

9. In a protector, an arched shield, a resilient frame attachced to said shield and ac apted to grip the body of the wearer, and a strap secured at one end to said protector and passing between said shield and said frame.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES R. VOLZ. 

